Rod,

Welcome to the discussion!

>>>
>>>A word is just a word, Doug. Every one means something different, and they are all used for a reason.
>>
>>Again I dunno... I've seen a lot of words that sure didn't seem to have any reason attached to them over the years. <g>
>>
>Sorry to barge in, but I have comment on something that's been bothering me since the whole Church/State thread was launched. If you go back to your original thread which in some way led to the launching of this most excellent new Chatter forum, you made a statement which alluded to impartiality on the part of the Fla. Supreme Court (suspect because they made a ruling favoring Gore), rampant hypocrisy on the part of the media, and then something to the effect that we'd better get closer to God or we're all going to hell.
>
>In all of the posts subsequent to that, you claimed that you were simply making a statement of faith, and wondered why everybody was getting down on you about your innocent statement. I have to wonder why a simple statement of faith followed a statement of political opinion in your original post? Is it because you consider that the fact that you are faithful or closer to God makes your political opinions more righteous or unassailable than those of people who don't share your views? That's the part that's a little tricky to me, you seem to plead all sorts of inocence and high-mindedness, yet you don't seem to consider at all not just the words you used but also the way you put them together in that first post. I would be willing to bet that if you had honestly sent your political opinion and statement of faith as two separate statements, they would have been received far differently than they were.
>
>Rod Poujade

Well, good question.. I guess that the short explanation for me is that my faith is a part of my life in such a fashion that I see it impacting all areas of my life, including politics. I do see them interacting and, I suppose Rod, I'd also assert that to somehow compartmentalize them is something that really isn't realistic. No one is really built that way in real life from everything I've ever observed - though some in the media try and proclaim their objectivity. Everyone has a subjective component at some point. Just admit it and get on with life... It's ok to have a differing opinion and state it IMO.

As far as some of your presumptions that I think I'm somehow better or 'more righteous' I guess all I can say is that you are reading that into my messages. Let me just say that I am not any of those things whatsoever - other than very sure of what I believe. If my having a 'certainty of belief' that comes across as somehow me 'being better' I'd be the first to apologize. But, I do think perhaps you're misreading me a little.

You may be right though about sending two messages but I don't think that I could have. I honestly believe, think and feel (that should cover all bases. <g>) that at the heart of the matter is the internal strength and substance of the people of this nation. I think we have gone so far down the road that we really do need to repent (Old English for consciously turn around) and go back to our spiritual roots. The healing needs to come from the inside out and IMO it needs to start with me. I have to be willing to take responsibility for me. I am. I've done that. I think others should do the same but I am under no illusions whatsoever that many will not do this and want to blame others (including God) for the tresults of their own decisions.

If I have somehow failed to include myself clearly in that notion I certainly do apologize for being unclear. I do include myself as well as others....

Thank you though for your thoughts!